I'm leavin' on a jet plane . . .

It's time to move again and its been busy getting ready.  I figured I should get something on this blog before we move because I will be busy unpacking and what not once we get to Texas.  I felt so proud because I downloaded an app on my phone so I can blog the photos I take on my phone, but I think the app has a bug because it won't post the photos.  I'll keep trying though. 
Mike's sister came up to Detroit and watched the kids for us for the weekend so we could go down to Texas and look for a house to rent.  There were some ups and downs but eventually we were able to get a lease for a great house.  We had a great realtor- Thanks Valerie!  Here are a few fun things we did while we were there.

 Houston

 Some good BBQ.  Gotta love the local joints.

 Jason's Deli has all you can eat soft serve icecream.  Mike took advantage of this.

 A giant cowboy boot in the airport. Welcome to Texas! 

 Galveston.  It was fun to walk along the beach- especially since it was snowing when we left Detroit. 

Seafood place we ate at along the beach.

I really liked Texas from my initial impressions.  Houston has this fun Urban/Country feel.  You are certainly in  a big city, but there are lots of pick ups and you don't have to go far to get to cows and tractors. 

On another note:   Lydia and her girl scout troop went to build-a-bear and all got teddy bears with girl scout uniforms.  So cute.  She loved it!

 Last weekend, Mike had a recruiting conference back at Purdue so we all tagged along so we could see our old friends.  It was SO SO good!  I love my friends in Indiana.  Seeing them was so wonderful.  I immediately felt like I was home.  Here are people who really know me.  They have watched my kids grow.  We spent time together almost every day for the last 5 years.  And knowing that I had to leave them and go start over in Texas was a little sad for me.   I think I had just as much fun as the kids.  You see all those kids on the jungle gym?  My kids know all of them.  They are all friends.  They ALL play hide and seek together.  They All ride bikes together. They are all wonderful.   Oh can you tell I'm nostalgic? 

 Last weekend Purdue had Spring Fest- a carnival like atmosphere where all the different departments in the school host a different booth.  The kids all wanted these awesome balloon hats.  It's a must!

 Mike took them to the Spring football game where they met Purdue Pete.  Josie discovered the goodness of cotton candy. 

The entomology department always hosts cricket spitting and they have a big tournament.  Colton wanted to do it so of course Mike couldn't be outdone by his son.  Here he is just putting the cricket in his mouth.  yuck.